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Thune: Ryan Choice Will 'Make This Campaign About Big Things'

Sen. John Thune supported Mitt Romney’s choice of Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan as a decision that “shows his desire to make this campaign about big things” on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday.

“Paul Ryan represents the kind of leadership that people in this country are hungry for,” said Thune, R-S.D.

Thune countered the argument that Ryan would gut Medicare, saying President Obama has failed to act to make the program sustainable. “The biggest risk for the country is doing nothing” he said. “That is what ends Medicare as we know it."

Thune said Ryan’s Medicare plan would give people under the age of 55 more flexibility and that the Wisconsin Congressman’s budgetary expertise makes him the perfect messenger on Medicare and other fiscal issues.

Romney’s pick of Ryan, a Midwestern policy wonk, has not been billed as a choice that will make inroads with the demographics in which President Obama holds his largest leads, like minorities and women. But Thune said the pick would help Romney across the board.

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“Most women across the country care about … the issue,” he said. “And that’s jobs and the economy.”